NEPSAC Showcase: Underclassmen Ready to Produce

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This past weekend, I attended the NEPSAC Showcase at Worcester Academy in Worcester, MA. Teams from all NEPSAC divisions competed in 20-minute running half games. TONS of college coaches at all levels were in the building.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As always, it's difficult to watch all three courts at once and see everything that's going on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/06/the-7-best-players-i-saw-on-day-1-of-the-nepsac-showcase/">The 7 Best Players I Saw On Day 1 of the NEPSAC Showcase</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/06/6-new-faces-ready-to-thrive-in-the-nepsac/">6 New Faces Who Impressed In Their First NEPSAC Showcase</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/06/nepsac-showcase-impressive-guards/">NEPSAC Showcase: Impressive Guards</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/06/nepsac-showcase-big-guards-wings-who-shined/">NEPSAC Showcase: Big Guards/Wings Who Shined</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Read: <a href="https://prephoops.com/2026/06/nepsac-showcase-productive-forwards-centers/" id="https://prephoops.com/2026/06/nepsac-showcase-productive-forwards-centers/">NEPSAC Showcase: Productive Forwards/Centers</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are 5 underclassmen who shined at the NEPSAC Showcase.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["3348955"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","fullHeight":true,"anchor":"acf-block-6a354793e7721"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">O'Neill was excellent this weekend for Tabor Academy and couldn't have looked more comfortable and solid in his first NEPSAC play. The 6-foot-2 guard wasn't remotely rattled by the increased physicality, size, or athleticism. In fact, I actually think this level of play really suits the rising sophomore, because he's able to use his IQ and feel to run the show and make higher level decisions. O'Neill shot the ball well from three, he showed off his big-time strength on drives to the rim, and he was unselfish as a facilitator. Tabor has a bunch of new faces and should be really solid this season with O'Neill at the helm of the offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Junior Jean-Philippe","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'10u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77246","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Rivers School","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Middlesex Magic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a354793e77db"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jean-Philippe is going to do just fine in the NEPSAC. Though the rising freshman guard is undersized and played at Waltham High School last season, he looked extremely comfortable handling full court pressure and playing against upperclassman guards. He shot the ball well from three, and he got into the lane at will. Defensively, Jean-Philippe doesn't give anything up and works his behind off to stay in front of the ball and use his strength. He's an awesome player who will be a stud at Rivers for years to come.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2571904"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a354793e782d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">McGrath really shined for Thayer this weekend on both ends. He shoots the ball extremely well from three and has a pretty beautiful release for someone of his size and age. But when defenders aggressively close out to him, the lefty does a good job keeping a good line to the rim and finishing at the cup. Defensively, he uses his 6-foot-6 frame to play against larger player in the post, but he also slides his feet better than you'd think on the perimeter. If McGrath is still growing, oh boy is he going to be unbelievable. The sky is the limit for him if he gets another 3-4 inches.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Tadhg Howard","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2030","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'6u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77245","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Thayer Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Middlesex Magic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a354793e78b4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Howard is brimming with potential. The 6-foot-6 forward is super skinny, but I was really impressed with his willingness and ability to take contact from older and stronger players, which allowed him to guard his yard better than most freshman his size. Offensively, Howard has a great-looking shot and moves better than you'd think given how his frame looks. He's going to keep getting stronger and putting on weight, and he's going to be a big-time recruit once he does. We'll see what the production can be this season, though.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Jayden Wilbon","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2029","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"6'0u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"77244","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Governor's Academy","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"Team Sims","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_program":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a354793e7939"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Wilbon is one of the most athletic guards in 2029 and showed off some of those skills while coming off the bench for his Governor's squad this past weekend. The 6-foot guard got into the lane and elevated for finishes on a number of occasions, and he showcased his downhill speed in transition. But he also shot the ball very well from three, off of both the catch and the dribble, and looked extremely comfortable operating in the pick and roll. Wilbon should definitely be an important piece for Governor's this season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->